Saturday 31 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 20198Possession of cocaine · Co. Laois · 5 Jul 2023

Man fined €200 for cocaine possession in Portlaoise

John McDonagh, 21, was charged with possessing cocaine for personal use after gardaí found him with €70 worth of cocaine at Lyster Square, Portlaoise, on 5 July 2023. He admitted having the cocaine and pleaded guilty at Portlaoise District Court, where his solicitor said low mood was the likely reason he had the drugs. Judge Andrew Cody refused a poor box contribution because of his 20 previous convictions, and he was fined €200 with six months to pay. The sentence was reported on 26 July 2023.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced26 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • John McDonagh, 21, admitted having cocaine at Lyster Square, Portlaoise.
  • Gardaí found him in possession of €70 worth of cocaine.
Where
The cocaine possession took place at Lyster Square, Portlaoise, Laois.
When
The possession took place on 5 July 2023.
Cause
His solicitor said he had been suffering from low mood and she believed this was why he had the drugs.
Charges
He appeared in court charged with possessing cocaine for personal use.
In court
  • The case was heard at Portlaoise District Court.
  • Garda Sergeant Michael Tarpey told the court he had 20 previous convictions, none for drugs.
  • He pleaded guilty.
  • His solicitor asked for the offence to be dealt with by a poor box contribution.
  • Judge Andrew Cody refused a poor box contribution because of his previous convictions.
Sentence
He was fined €200 and given six months to pay.
Other details
  • His solicitor said he had since attended his GP for help.
  • The sentence was reported on 26 July 2023.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man admitted having cocaine at Lyster Square, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatGardaí found the man in possession of €70 worth of cocaine. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe cocaine possession took place at Lyster Square, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe possession took place on 5 July. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • causeHis solicitor said he had been suffering with low mood and she believed this is why he had the drugs. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeThe man was charged with possessing cocaine for personal use. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Portlaoise District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe man had 20 previous convictions, none for drugs. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe man pleaded guilty. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe solicitor asked for the offence to be dealt with by a contribution to the poor box. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Andrew Cody refused a poor box contribution because of the previous convictions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe man was fined €200 and given six months to pay. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 26 Jul2023
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Man had cocaine in Portlaoise

    Reports the guilty plea, fine and court details for a cocaine possession case in Portlaoise. No matching case appears in the existing list.

    convicted, John McDonagh, 21, male, named, irish (judged from name)John McDonagh